Becoming Catholic - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (often abbreviated RCIA) is the process through which interested adults and older children are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic faith and way of life. The RCIA is a communal process and involves a number of stages punctuated by liturgical rights to aid and assist the potential convert toward the final rite, usually at the Easter Vigil at which time they will become full members of the Roman Catholic Church. The entire process takes several months, (ideally a minimum of one complete liturgical year), but participants are generally invited to proceed at a pace which suitsthem individually. The Church prefers to call this the process and not a program. A catechumen is a person who has never received baptism. A candidate is a person who was already baptized. The Catholic Church acknowledges other Christian baptisms as long as the Trinitarian formula “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” and flowing water was used.

The outline on this site is based upon the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) approved for use in the dioceses of the USA which includes additional rites for various circumstances and combinations.

C.J. & Barbara Unruh – (806) 384-2125

Brenda Langen – (806) 384-3124

Michael Anzaldua – (806) 244-1999

An invitation is extended to...

Those who are unbaptized

Those baptized in the Catholic Church who have not received the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation

Those baptized in another Christian Church who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church

St. Anthony of padua community invites you to meet with members of the RCIA team who welcome your interest and questions regarding the Catholic Church and our parish community. This team of volunteers assists people who would like to experience full communion in the Catholic church and the richness of the Christian life.